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No. 380,460. Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

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UNrrnn STATES rrrce.

HIRAM B. SMITH, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSlGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ED. HOLLAND, OF SAME PLACE.

HEAD AND BACK REST FOR RAlLWAY=CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,460, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed September 7, 1887. Serial No. 249,059. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Head and Back Rest for Railway-Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to supply ahead and back rest for railway passenger-ear seats, that will be capable of adjustment to different positions on the seat to allow the person using it to change position a corresponding number of times, and that will require very little room for packing, and be easily carried when not in use.

The device consists of twoleaves hinged together in such a manner as to open out about straight in one direction and fold together in the opposite direction, so as to occupy the least possible space, one leaf being provided with a yielding or elastic portion for the head to rest upon, and a supplemental leaf elastically arranged at the back, as will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a section of a railway passenger-car, showing my device placed in one of the positions for which it is adapted. Fig. 2 is a view of the back of my device, showing the leaves open and the general conformation of each. Fig. 3 is an edge view of same. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the same as seen when closed.

In the figures like reference-marks indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

A is the leaf having elastic materialor portion inserted therein. Bis the secondaryleaf, O the elastically-attached leaf, and D are the hinges. Placed over a hole or recess in the leaf A is the elastic or pliable material E, which may be of any material of sufficient elasticity or pliabilit-y to conform to a surface coming in contact therewith, for the purpose user. Between the leaf A and the leaf 0 are springs E, which are inserted for the purpose of counteracting the effect of the motion of the car, thus reducing the effect of the jar to a minimum.

G is the strip, of felt or other suitable material, for the purpose of further elasticity,and, more essentially, for preventing the woodwork of the car from being marred by contact with the device.

The construction of my device is as follows: The leaves are preferably made of one or more kinds of material built up; or, in the case of one or more kinds of wood, having each alternate layer of Wood or veneer crossed, or in any other manner presenting a sufficiently strong texture to prevent splitting or warping, or the pulling off of the hinges by any extraordinary strain that might come upon them. The main leaf A is made in about the form shown in the drawings, and has at or near its center a hole or recess for the purpose of applying the elastic material E. Around the edges, extending as far as desired, the strip G is placed, for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned. On the back of this leaf A is hinged, in any suitable manner, the leaf 0, having a hole nearly corresponding to the hole in the leaf A. Between the leaves A and G are the springs F, which are preferably coiled springs, although others would be equally applicable. The secondary leaf Bis hinged to the leaf A by means ofstrong hinges,which are preferably riveted thereto. When opened to its full extent, the adjacent edges of the leaves A and B come together on the opposite corners from the hinges, which hinges will then prevent the device from opening farther, and thus make a rigid support.

I do not confine myself to the specific shapes of the leaves, as these might be varied without a departure from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is*

In a head and back rest for railway-cars, a. leaf, A, having an elastic portion, B, said leaf of providing an easy place for the head of the 50 being hinged to a leaf, B, in combination with In testimony whereof I affix my signature in a leaf, 0, hinged to the leaf A, and having an presence of two witnesses.

opening to correspond with the elastic portion of leaf A, said leaves being provided HIRAM B. SMITH. with a protecting strip of felt, G, and the e outer edges of said leaves A and G separated lVitnesses:

by a spring, F, substantially as shown and de- ED. HOLLAND,

scribed. A. P. WOOD. 

